Alex was back.

The connection snapped into place, making my wings speed up. The squishy one had really good timing. I flew high above the clouds, skirting around the Sanctuary on my way back north. I'd found what I hoped for deep to the south, and couldn't wait to post the quest for Alex.

It wouldn't be easy, but it'd solve so many of the tricky problems in front of me.

One of those giant-winged beasts flew below me and noticed my shadow. It screamed a challenge and twisted in the air to attack.

I didn't bother releasing my presence. A light snack would be a great way to celebrate my findings. Moving faster than it could follow, my teeth latched onto its neck, almost piercing straight through. Seconds later, dust filled the air.

[You have Drained a Level 98 Dsungaripterus.]

I didn't expect to gain anything but a full stomach, and I wasn't surprised when I got exactly what I expected. The creature's level had been too low for anything more, by quite a long distance. I dismissed the notification but made note of the air. That shuttle the brother flew didn't go this high and should be fine.

A warning given would be appreciated.

I loved it when I solved more than one problem at once. I patted myself on the back, metaphorically, as I sped up, this time cloaking my body. Alex's fear while seeing my true form stayed in the back of my mind. Somehow, I needed to get that Hellion on board with my plan.

Hopefully, he'd listened to the first warning.

***

That strange voice warning me about the locals weighed on my mind as I greeted the three of them. Hammy stood off to one side with a smile. He knew these folks. He vouched for these folks. Still, something felt off. There was definitely a tension I didn't understand.

"I am Vienna, Lenna is my daughter," said the first woman. She wore dark green robes with red and white flowers dotting the edges. The only weapon she carried was a heavy staff, but she moved like she knew how to use it. I assumed she had a dagger somewhere on her as well.

[Vienna de la Rangu, Speaker, Level 101, Threat Level High.]

Lenna was next to her and smiled at Hammy. That was the friend who knew both Hammy and Alex. Though, Alex wasn't back yet from the trip to the dungeon. Hammy was pretty sure they'd be here any day now. Time felt like it was passing quickly, since we didn't want to settle here.

[Lenna De la Dengu, Ranger, Level 32, Threat Level Low.]

The taller male behind Vienna worried me. He held a bow, and his dark green eyes landed on everything, registering and moving on, always alert. His body language made it clear he didn't feel we were a threat at all. Still, he acted like I would, keeping the situation in view and prepared to be wrong. Here was a warrior I could respect, even if right now he worried me.

[Saevel De La Sivgu, Warrior, Level 120, Threat Level High.]

While Lenna's level was lower than her father's, or her mother's, it was still higher than mine. Everyone I knew, except for Hammy, and Alex I guessed, was capped at level 20 or 25. A group had gone to hunt down a Greater Creature that had appeared from the Sanctuary, to get them past that level 20 cap. An alarm Hammy set up let him know when it had wandered out, and Hawk took charge of the group. I trusted he'd bring everyone back, and at the next level cap of 25.

"It's nice to meet you, Vienna," I said, bowing my head slightly. I motioned to the camp behind me. It wasn't much, but a campfire burned outside the drop ship with a few logs around it. Abby was part of the hunting group, though only because Hawk had forced her to go. That left me entertaining the guests, with little backup. I preferred keeping those who might get hurt during this away from any conflict, but this wasn't exactly my area of expertise.

"Please, take a seat." I turned my back on them, though I needed to force myself to stay relaxed. My rifle hung over my shoulder, but I wasn't even sure it'd do damage to either of the parents. I sat on the farthest log facing the fire, allowing them plenty of space.

"Lenna mentioned you are looking for a new home," said Vienna as she followed along, taking a seat on the next log.

Lenna and Hammy carefully scooted away into the drop ship, leaving Saevel behind. He stood near the tree line, staring at the shuttle like he had seen nothing like it before.

I nodded, keeping a part of my attention on the tall warrior. "Yes, this area isn't the best place to stay, but we are still getting our bearings and looking for a suitable location. You both must know the jungle well, do you have any suggestions?"

"We do," answered Saevel, finally joining us. "Growing in this area will be hard. Our people hunt to the north for worthwhile prey. Once your people become citizens, growth will be difficult. Competition for worthwhile targets is already fierce." His lips moved in a different dance than what he said. Hammy had warned me that somehow their language translated for us, and ours for them. He was the only one learning some of the native words, so far.

"That was my impression as well. Once we are sure no one else from Sanctuary will join us, we will search for a better location."

Vienna relaxed. It was slight, but I noticed it. She was relieved at my answer. That tension from earlier vanished, or at least lessened quite a bit.

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"That's good. This area is important to our people in ways we cannot explain." She shared a glance with her partner. "Maybe farther south? I know it's wild beyond the Sanctuary. Our people prefer the jungles and cliffs."

"Is the south a different terrain?" asked Benny. He moved closer and waited until I nodded before sitting down near me.

"This is my son, Benny." I motioned to him. "He studies plants and will grow our food."

Saevel eyed him, but still didn't look concerned. More like he was cataloging information on a potential future threat. Again, I mentally had to tip my hat; it's exactly what I would have been doing in his place.

"Oh, we have Plant Singers. Is that what a Biologist is?" asked Vienna. The way she said 'Biologist' made it clear the translator didn't translate everything.

"You have people who sing to plants?" asked Benny, his eyes sparkling. "I'd love to meet them. The plant growth here is amazing. I have several species that I've grown from stock, from our world, and the changes to the growth rate are astonishing."

Vienna chuckled. "Plants are not my area of specialty, but my cousin is in charge of growing the food for the village. I think the two of you would get along."

This was what I'd hoped for from this meeting. A chance to learn from one another, and get on good terms. Benny could win anyone over with his charm.

"As for the south…" Her lips pressed together.

"The temperature is cooler, and there are more wide-open spaces." Saevel picked up where she left off. "Bigger creatures that travel in larger packs are common. Only our highest-level warriors go there to train and reach greater heights."

I felt him use Insight on me again.

"You need to get stronger to survive there, but your people might…" He glanced at Vienna. "Thrive."

"We are running into the level caps with the citizenship quests, but once we find a good dungeon to work through, we'll grow."

"Your people grow fast…" he said with a confused look, then motioned to the both of them. "Though growth slows down for all around our levels. You will learn this, I am certain."

I leaned back, thinking hard. If this guy worried about us surviving down there, but clearly didn't want us here, we were stuck.

"We have much to learn, and I appreciate your guidance." Local knowledge was critical for our continued survival. Though, I hoped Hammy learned more from his friend, Lenna. Maybe he could even get her to tell him why they wanted us gone.

"Benny should meet Rotho, and they can learn from one another," stated Vienna.

Saevel's eyes widened just the tiniest bit.

"He can travel back to the village with us, while Lenna can stay here."

Saevel mumbled something under his breath, but Vienna shook her head.

Vienna suddenly stared right at me. "You do not mean us harm, and you came here from the stars, correct?"

"We do not," I said, with as much sincerity as I could. I knew she was using some sort of skill to test me. I could feel it pressing down on me, searching for something. "And we did. We crashed in these ships. Many died. My daughter was almost one of them."

I didn't mean for that last part to slip out, but it did, somehow. Something to do with that pressure.

"May the stars light their way," said Vienna, standing. "Come, Saevel. Benny, you may join us, though, be warned, we bond with beasts. They live with us in our village. They will not attack, but they will be interested in meeting a human."

"Hammy mentioned Dengu, and that he was a friend. They did the dungeon together." Benny stood up with a smile.

I stood as well.

Another barely-there look passed between the two older forest-folk.

"Hammy did well with Lenna," said Saevel begrudgingly. "All grew quickly."

Lenna and Hammy exited the dropship, drawing looks from all of us.

"You're leaving already?" she asked, her head going between her mother and her father.

"I am going to introduce Benny to Rotho." Vienna smiled brightly. "He works with plants."

"Oh… That will make Rotho happy. All he ever wants to do is talk about plants." Then Lenna's eyes widened. "I'll stay here then. Dengu!"

The bushes near the tree line rustled, and a velociraptor stepped into the clearing.

I resisted moving, everything in me screamed to do something, but I reminded myself that this was a friend. It just looked like the creatures that had attacked us after the crash.

Bright purple scales lined his eyes, and he chirped.

"Hammmmy."

The dinosaur spoke, literally spoke. I couldn't believe it.

"Hey, Dengu!" Hammy smiled at him as he stepped closer, scratching the velociraptor under his chin like a cat.

[Dengu, Bonded Raptor, Level 35, Threat Level: Low.]

Even the dinosaur was higher level than me. I needed to find a dungeon, ASAP, but first Alex needed to get her ass back here. The closest dungeon was the one she'd completed with Hammy, and I wanted more info than what he gave me.

I found Saevel staring at me before he turned to the jungle edge.

Hawk stepped through the trees at level 25. Several people followed behind him, everyone laughing and chatting. He gave me a thumbs up, and I couldn't help but smile.

So far so good.

"We have plenty of meat, that sucker was huge," said Hawk, trying not to look at the green folks next to me.

"They haven't left yet, have they?" Abby rushed out of the leaves, pulling a heavy sled behind her loaded with meat. She'd gained a few levels, too, which was good. "I have so many questions…"

"These are Lenna's folks, Vienna and Saevel," I said, motioning to the two of them. I hadn't expected the party to be back yet, but it wasn't all bad. I didn't believe for a second that Saevel didn't know exactly how many of us there were, and this way it was clear we weren't hiding anything.

Abby dropped the rope for the sled and approached with a smile. "How do you cook Ankylosaurus? Like, with what herbs?"

I flashed Vienna a grin, chuckling to myself.

"How about you join Benny on the trip back to our village?" asked Vienna.

"That'd be wonderful! I'm in charge of cooking, and nothing is the same here as where we are from."

It didn't take long for Saevel to negotiate a sledful of meat, and Hawk joined Abby and Benny on the journey north to the village. They'd return in three days.

If Alex wasn't back by then, we'd need to go find her.

Randy and Cass joined Lenna and Hammy, while Lenna helped Randy with his archery. The green girl stood out from the others, but somehow Randy's shooting improved a bit.

John approached me next to the fire. He hadn't gone on the hunting trip, and intentionally remained capped at level 20. "So, how'd it go?"

I kept my voice low, and we moved closer to the shuttle. "Good. I'm worried, since Alex hasn't shown up and Saevel made it clear we can't stay here long term. Vienna has some truth showing abilities."

"Why can't we stay nearby? We'd need to find a better location, for sure, but still, aren't we far enough from their village?"

"That's not the problem," I said. "It's the dungeon. They specifically did not talk about it. It's why I haven't had anyone check it out. I think it might be a holy place for them."

John let out a sigh. "So, what about Alex and Hammy?"

"I mean, look at Hammy, John," I said softly. "He isn't a threat, and he has a crush on Lenna. They didn't ask about Alex, or mention her, and I wonder if, somehow, they don't know Alex was with them."

"Hammy said she was fine at the end of the dungeon…"

"Supposedly." I peeked my head out of the back of the ramp. "Hey, Hammy, got a moment?"

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